Kingsport, TN Living: Is It Right for You? | Pros and Cons

[@tedlarson6216]

As a resident of KPT, I love how safe, quiet and friendly it feels. It’s a very blue collar industrial town. It has more in common with Bristol vs Johnson City. But there are some super nice upscale luxury neighborhoods with big homes. Drive ten minutes outside the city and you’re in the rolling green rural hills and lush green mountains. If you have kids or are of retirement age it’s a great place to live. If you’re in your twenties or thirties Johnson City has more to offer. Just different cultures.

[@stephencobaugh9625]

I just moved to Kingsport from south-central Pennsylvania and couldn't be more happy (except for the traffic on US 11W). As a retiree, I was looking for a slower pace, beautiful scenery, low taxes and low cost of living. Everything considered, I'm saving almost half of my costs since leaving the Keystone State (especially taxes). I was able to find the same size house for $65K less here than a comparable property in the Lancaster-York-Harrisburg metro area. Access to nearby Bays Mountain, the largest city-owned park in Tennessee, is a definite plus for anyone who enjoys hiking. The only thing higher in TN compared to PA is the sales tax. Instead of paying 9.5% in TN on groceries, I just drive a few miles north over the border into VA. Most groceries in VA qualify for their uber-cheap 1% sales tax. The city's a great place. Just get here before the city disappears under the kudzu plants!

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

@@stephencobaugh9625 Welcome to Kingsport! I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying it here, and thank you for sharing this. I love to hear stories like this! Thank you for watching!

[@yellowjacketf4i]

I've lived in Kingsport my whole life and the place smells like chemicals from the huge Eastman Chemical plant that sits in the middle of the city. The plant often releases toxic chemicals into the air and river (there's even signs posted on the river instructing the public not to eat fish from the river). Oh, Not to mention the chemical plant has explosions every so often which results in even more discharges and injuries. I would NOT recommended Kingsport for families!

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

Thanks for the input! I’m working on a video all about the cons of Eastman chemical company. I just didn’t want to make this whole video about it. Would love to see some of the information you have regarding it! Would you be willing to shoot me an email with anything you have? [e-mail]

[@stephenwilder3525]

Took a look at the crime scene and seems a little too high. May have to put up w/the cold winds of Wyoming.

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

@@stephenwilder3525Check out areas surrounding Kingsport or Johnson city: Church Hill, Mount Carmel, Blountville, Piney Flatts, Jonesborough, Telford.

[@stevelight2061]

@@mr.rogersrealestate4336I grew up in Kingsport.Lived there for 47 years with the Eastman in my back yard and that statement is true.Look up the Eastman explosion back in the 50’s.I love Kingsport but had to move to find a better job.Itwas a great place to grow up and would be a good place to retire but not much opportunity.

[@tedjones2266]

Great video. Thanks.

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

@@tedjones2266 thanks for watching!

[@user-nz9hv5go2v]

You can't include everything in a single video. I've been in Kingsport about 1-1/2 years and I'm glad I picked KPT for its community values. For education, you could have also mentioned Northeast State Community College with a campus near TRI (airport) and both ETSU and NESCC share space in the near-downtown Kingsport Center for Higher Education. As for historical interests, the city's archives punches way above its weight for a city this size and the historical society is pretty active. Retirees will find the city's senior center offers a wide variety of programs, including occasional day trips and some extended travel options, as well as various health, exercise, and arts and crafts and lifestyle classes. The farmer's market is also well-served and well-attended during the summer. And the city offers a number of other recreational and entertainment events from spring through fall besides FunFest, like Racks by the Tracks, Red-White-and-Boom, Friday concert series downtown, and other downtown association promotional activities. About Pal's, I came to Northeast Tennessee for the climate and outdoor recreational activities, but I stayed for Pal's! lol

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

@@user-nz9hv5go2v You are right, you really can’t include everything in a single video. Thank you for providing additional information for others. I love to see it, especially coming from someone who has recently moved here. Pals is unbeatable, best fast food around!

[@yeseniapastor7165]

I think a lot of people are on the fence about moving because they're far from retirement and the jobs economy etc are the most important for a working family

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

@@yeseniapastor7165 Absolutely, you make an excellent point. Jobs are indeed less abundant here compared to more urban areas. Many of the working clients I've assisted with relocation mostly work remotely, or are relocated due to a specific industry in the region. There are still jobs available though, and the economy is growing.

[@MD-eo2wy]

Can you do a video on becoming an agent pros/cons?

[@mr.rogersrealestate4336]

Yes, I will add that to my list. Great idea!

[@user-hz8cp4td5e]

What is the crime rate in the TriCities.

[@vernwallen4246]

Beware of crooked lawyers/politicians.They'll shove it up your backside.